Tutorial apparatus

• US 20050114776A1
• Filed: 10/15/2004
• Published: 05/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. (VTech Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. (VTech Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Krueger, Patricia, Ryder, Cam, Wood, Michael C., Marggraff, L. James
• Application Number:
  US10/966,148
• Publication Number:
  US 20050114776A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/709
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 5/062 Combinations of audio and printed presentations, e.g. magnetically striped cards, talking books, magnetic tapes with printed texts thereon

Abstract

A tutorial apparatus is disclosed. The tutorial apparatus is to be operated by a user, and includes a processor unit and a memory unit coupled to the processor unit. The memory unit includes code for allowing the user to enter user-selected study material into the tutorial apparatus, code for forming a problem using the user-selected study material, and code for providing assistance in solving the problem formed using the user-selected study material.

Claims

1. A tutorial apparatus to be operated by a user, the tutorial apparatus comprising:

a processor unit;

at least one input device operationally coupled to the processor unit;

a memory unit coupled to the processor unit, wherein the memory unit comprises code for allowing the user to enter user-selected study material into the tutorial apparatus using the at least one input device, code for forming a problem using the user-selected, and user-entered study material, and code for providing assistance in solving the problem formed using the user-selected study material; and

an output device coupled to the processor unit, wherein the output device is adapted to provide the assistance to the user to help the user solve the problem.

2. The tutorial apparatus of claim 1 wherein the problem is a math problem.

3. The tutorial apparatus of claim 1 wherein the problem is a spelling problem.

4. The tutorial apparatus of claim 1 wherein the problem uses fractions.

5. The tutorial apparatus of claim 1 wherein the at least one input device comprises buttons including numbers and mathematical symbols.

6. The tutorial apparatus of claim 1 wherein the memory unit comprises code for providing different hints for different parts of the problem.

7. The tutorial apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a directional pad on a left side of the tutorial apparatus and an enter button on the right side of the tutorial apparatus.

8. The tutorial apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tutorial apparatus is hand held, and comprises a display device operatively coupled to the processor unit.

9. A computer readable medium comprising:

code for allowing the user to enter user-selected study material into the tutorial apparatus using at least one input device in a tutorial apparatus;

code for forming a problem using the user-selected, and user-entered study material; and

code for providing assistance in solving the problem formed using the user-selected study material.

10. The computer readable medium of claim 9 wherein the problem is a math problem.

11. The computer readable medium of claim 9 wherein the problem is a spelling problem.

12. The computer medium of claim 9 wherein the problem is a spelling problem and wherein the computer readable medium further comprises code for generating spelling distracters.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 9 wherein the assistance is step-by-step assistance that helps the user solve the problem.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 9 wherein the problem uses fractions.

15. A method comprising:

entering a problem into a tutorial apparatus using at least one input device in the tutorial apparatus, wherein the problem is created from the user-selected study material;

receiving assistance provided by a tutorial apparatus, wherein the assistance helps to solve the problem created from the user-selected study material; and

solving the problem created from the user-selected study material using the assistance from the tutorial apparatus.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the problem is a math problem or a spelling problem.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein receiving assistance comprises listening to the assistance.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein the user-selected study material comprises a word that is selected by the user, and wherein the problem includes the word selected by the user and a plurality of words including distracters.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein the assistance comprises step-by-step assistance that helps the user solve the problem.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein the tutorial apparatus is portable.